People v. Bjornsen

The defendant was charged with murdering Leland F. Martin on April 11, 1946. He was tried by the court sitting without a jury. The evidence was circumstantial with the exception of several extrajudicial statements which were made by the defendant. He was convicted of murder of the first degree and sentenced to life imprisonment. A motion for new trial was denied. From that judgment and order this appeal was perfected.

The defendant and the deceased had been friends and associates. They drank liquor together. They lived on a small island in the San Joaquin River near Stockton. On the day of the…